Topical Encyclopedia
Bilhah is a significant yet often understated figure in the Hebrew Bible, primarily known for her role as a handmaid to Rachel, the beloved wife of Jacob. Her account is interwoven with the complex family dynamics of the patriarch Jacob, and she is mentioned in several key passages in the Book of Genesis.
Background and Role:Bilhah was given to Rachel by her father, Laban, as a maidservant when Rachel married Jacob (
Genesis 29:29). In the cultural context of the time, it was not uncommon for a wife to offer her maidservant to her husband as a surrogate to bear children, especially if the wife herself was barren. This practice is evident in the lives of the patriarchs and their families.
Children of Bilhah:Rachel, who struggled with infertility, gave Bilhah to Jacob as a concubine to bear children on her behalf. Bilhah bore Jacob two sons:
1.
Dan · Bilhah's first son, Dan, is considered one of the twelve tribes of Israel. His birth is recorded in
Genesis 30:5-6: "And Bilhah conceived and bore Jacob a son. Then Rachel said, 'God has vindicated me; He has heard my voice and given me a son.' Therefore she named him Dan."
2.
Naphtali · Bilhah's second son, Naphtali, is also one of the tribes of Israel. His birth is noted in
Genesis 30:7-8: "And Rachel’s maid Bilhah conceived again and bore Jacob a second son. Then Rachel said, 'In my great struggles, I have wrestled with my sister and won.' So she named him Naphtali."
These sons, Dan and Naphtali, became the progenitors of two of the tribes of Israel, playing a crucial role in the formation of the nation.
Incident with Reuben:Bilhah is also mentioned in a controversial incident involving Reuben, Jacob's firstborn son by Leah.
Genesis 35:22 states, "While Israel was living in that region, Reuben went and slept with his father’s concubine Bilhah, and Israel heard of it." This act was considered a grave offense and had significant implications for Reuben's standing within the family. It is suggested that this incident contributed to Reuben losing his birthright as the firstborn (
Genesis 49:3-4).
Legacy:Bilhah's legacy is primarily through her sons, Dan and Naphtali, who became leaders of their respective tribes. Her account reflects the complexities of family relationships and the customs of the time. Despite her secondary status as a handmaid, Bilhah's contribution to the lineage of Israel is undeniable, as her sons played integral roles in the history and development of the Israelite people.
Bilhah's narrative, though brief, is a testament to the intricate familial and social structures of the patriarchal era, highlighting themes of struggle, rivalry, and the fulfillment of God's promises through unexpected means.
Hitchcock's Bible Names Dictionary
BilhahBilhan, who is old or confused
Smith's Bible Dictionary
Bilhah(timid, bashful), handmaid of Rachel, (Genesis 29:29) and concubine of Jacob, to whom she bore Dan and Naphtali. (Genesis 30:3-8;35:25;46:25;1 Chronicles 7:13) (B.C 53.)
ATS Bible Dictionary
BilhahThe handmaid of Rachel, given by her to her husband Jacob when herself childless, that she might become a mother through her handmaid. Bilhah was the mother of Dan and Naphtali,Genesis 30:1 8.
Easton's Bible Dictionary
Faltering; bashful, Rachel's handmaid, whom she gave to Jacob (
Genesis 29:29). She was the mother of Dan and Naphtali (
Genesis 30:3-8). Reuben was cursed by his father for committing adultry with her (
35:22;
49:4). He was deprived of the birth-right, which was given to the sons of Joseph.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
BILHAH (1)bil'-ha (person) (bilhah; Balla): A slave girl whom Laban gave to Rachel (Genesis 29:29), and whom the latter gave to Jacob as a concubine (Genesis 30:3, 4); the mother of Dan and Naphtali (Genesis 30:4, 7;Genesis 35:25;Genesis 46:251 Chronicles 7:13); guilty of incest with Reuben (Genesis 35:22).
BILHAH (2)
bil'-ha (place) (bilhah; Codex Alexandrinus, Balaa; Codex Vaticanus, Abella): A city in Simeon (1 Chronicles 4:29) = Baalah (Joshua 15:29), Balah (Joshua 19:3), and Baalath (Joshua 19:44). Unidentified.
Strong's Hebrew
1090.Bilhah -- a concubine of Jacob... 1089, 1090.
Bilhah. 1090a . a concubine of Jacob. Transliteration:
Bilhah Phonetic Spelling: (bil-haw') Short Definition:
Bilhah.
Bilhah...1090b.Bilhah -- a city in Simeon
... 1090a, 1090b.Bilhah. 1091 . a city in Simeon. Transliteration:Bilhah
Short Definition:Bilhah. Word Origin of uncertain derivation...
1090a.Bilhah -- a concubine of Jacob
... 1090, 1090a.Bilhah. 1090b . a concubine of Jacob. Transliteration:Bilhah
Short Definition:Bilhah. Word Origin of uncertain derivation...
Library
The Testament of Naphtali Concerning Natural Goodness.
... I was born fromBilhah; and because Rachel dealt craftily, and gaveBilhah in place
of herself to Jacob, and she bore me upon Rachel's lap, therefore was I...
The Trials and visions of Devout Youth
... Joseph, being seventeen years old, was feeding the flock with his brethren; and
the lad was with the sons ofBilhah, and with the sons of Zilpah, his father's...
Chapter xxxvii
... seventeen years was doing a shepherd's work among the flocks together with his brethren,
and in fact he was a servant together with the sons ofBilhah and the...
The Testament of Reuben Concerning Thoughts.
... affairs of womankind. For had I not seenBilhah bathing in a covered place,
I had not fallen into this great iniquity. [42] For...
Chapter xxx
... 3, 4. And she said: There is my handmaidBilhah; go in unto her, that she may bear
children upon my knees, that so I too may build up a family through her....
Chapter xlvi
... These are the sons ofBilhah, whom Laban gave unto Rachel, his daughter, and these
she bore unto Jacob; all persons were seven....Bilhah' s Sons....
Chapter xxxv
... 22 a. And it happened while Israel dwelt in that land that Reuben went and lay
withBilhah, his father's concubine. And Israel heard of it....
The Testament of Gad Concerning Hatred.
... And Joseph told our father that the sons of Zilpah andBilhah were slaying the best
of the beasts, [159] and devouring them without the knowledge of Judah and...
The Testament of Benjamin Concerning a Pure Mind.
... I to Jacob. Now since Rachel died in giving me birth, I had no milk;
therefore I was suckled byBilhah her handmaid. For Rachel...
In Judaea
... Zeitg. p.26). Opposite to it were the graves ofBilhah and of Dinah (cp34). Only
five miles from Jerusalem, this pillar was, no doubt, a well-known landmark....
Thesaurus
Bilhah (11 Occurrences)... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia.
BILHAH (1). bil'-ha (person) (
bilhah; Balla):
A
...BILHAH (2). bil'-ha (place) (
bilhah; Codex Alexandrinus
...Maidservant (73 Occurrences)
... daughter. (DBY NIV). Genesis 29:29 And Laban gave to Rachel his daughter,
Bilhah, his maidservant, to be her maidservant. (DBY NIV)....
Maid-servant (49 Occurrences)
... servant. (YLT). Genesis 29:29 and Laban giveth to Rachel his daughterBilhah
his maid-servant, for a maid-servant to her. (YLT). Genesis...
Maid (57 Occurrences)
... Genesis 29:29 Laban gave to Rachel his daughterBilhah, his handmaid, to be
her handmaid.... Genesis 30:3 She said, "Behold, my maidBilhah....
Beareth (108 Occurrences)
... from bearing. (YLT). Genesis 30:5 andBilhah conceiveth, and beareth to
Jacob a son, (YLT). Genesis 30:7 AndBilhah, Rachel's maid...
Zilpah (7 Occurrences)
... Zilpah tribes have the 5th division toward the South of Palestine and the 6th to
the North, a slightly more favorable position than that of theBilhah tribes....
Rachel's (5 Occurrences)
... Genesis 30:7Bilhah, Rachel's handmaid, conceived again, and bore Jacob a second
son.... Genesis 35:25 The sons ofBilhah (Rachel's handmaid): Dan and Naphtali....
Baalah (5 Occurrences)
... Mistress; city. (1.) A city in the south of Judah (Joshua 15:29), elsewhere called
Balah (Joshua 19:3) andBilhah (1 Chronicles 4:29). Now Khurbet Zebalah....
Balah (1 Occurrence)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary A city in the tribe of Simeon (Joshua 19:3), elsewhere
calledBilhah (1 Chronicles 4:29) and Baalah (Joshua 15:29). Int....
Conceiveth (27 Occurrences)
... from bearing. (YLT). Genesis 30:5 andBilhah conceiveth, and beareth to
Jacob a son, (YLT). Genesis 30:7 AndBilhah, Rachel's maid...
Resources
Who was Bilhah in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgWho was Dan in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the birth order of Jacob's thirteen children? | GotQuestions.orgBible Concordance •
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